Earl Durham, RIP

I don't know much about him, but I'm told that Earl Durham has passed away recently.  He was a civil rights advocate and friend of Al Raby.  He was also the chair of Designs For Change.  Does anyone know more, or have information about him that could be shared?     

Comments

[Geneva Bell]

Earl Durham's services were held today at
St. Columbanus Catholic Church at 3 pm. He was also a college professor.

[Ron Sanfield, Boston, MA --jazzron2009@yahoo.com]

I was a graduate student at the U of Chicago in the 1970s, and had Earl Durham for a professor. Just today, in the Alumni Magazine that came in the mail, did I learn of his passing back in October.
Even though it was more than 30 years ago, I can still vividly remember those exciting sessions in his classroom. He challenged us to confront the realities of community organization, and what it REALLY meant. He challenged us to confront our feelings about race, about class, about the gap in America between rhetorical words and deeds.
One day, he told us, "If you really wanted to be doing community organization, you would be 'out there in the streets', not in here in this ivory-tower university" ---
and taught us about Saul Alinsky who had walked those very same streets of Hyde Park and other Chicago neighborhoods.

There have been many times in my career and life that I've given myself the "gut check" that Earl would give us, about how true we were to our principles.
I remember his striding around, back and forth, in front of the class, his turtleneck and Jacket so hip looking for the times....... running up to the blackboard, scribbling a word across it, and turning around to the class and PUSHING us to THINK and REACT and to FEEL.

I don't know how to reach Earl's family, but if someone does, please send them these memories. May he rest in Peace.
Each of his students carries a bit of him with them. thanks Earl.

Ron Sanfield

[Annmarie Robinson]

I worked for Designs for Change for 10 years, during Chicago school reform.
During those times, I had the most wonderful conversations with Earl. He had a way of making you think about situations, the patience to paint new pictures for you, and the time always to help you sort things out. He was a wonderful man, and I know he changed a little bit of me...

[Chicago event]

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